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OTR: We do not need a manufactured crisis, says Alex Maskey MLA

Commenting this afternoon after the British Prime Minister David Cameron
announced the establishment of a Judicial review into the workings of
the OTR scheme, Sinn Fein Assembly member Alex Maskey said:

“Everyone
knows that the issue of OTRs was an anomaly which had to be resolved in
common with other legacy issues.

"This was agreed by the two governments
13 years ago. So I think people need to be very careful with their
language.

"Martin McGuinness has today sought to bring stability
and leadership into this and people should follow his lead and bring
cool heads to this situation.

"What we do not need is a manufactured
crisis, driven by people outside who are hostile to the process and for
electoral reasons.

"The inquiry announced by David Cameron is
unnecessary.

"It has already been made clear as recently as yesterday by
the British Attorney General that the scheme in operation was lawful
and proper. Given that reality I have to say I’m not sure what there is
to inquire into.

"What cannot be challenged is the integrity of
the scheme or the good faith of those who have been processed through
it. These people have gone through a process and it has been established
that they are not wanted for questioning or charge. That fact can’t be
changed.

"This announcement is a political fig leaf for the DUP to
try and get them off the hook they jumped onto over the past few days.”